Ode To Joy

June 30, 2020 by

I was not prepared for how piglets enter the world. I thought they would be flopsy, mopsy little things with soft bodies, closed eyes, and weak legs. I thought they would be like most other infants, dependent and helpless. It’s simply not true. When piglets are born they seem less like frail baby animals and more like tiny pigs. They are strangely dependent on their mother for milk yet somehow, they’re utterly precocious. They hit the ground trotting, marvelous, chunky things covered in velvet and clever spots. They drink their milk. They are endlessly hungry. They oink. They squeak. When I reach out to touch them they startle and leap off the ground, all four tiny pink hooves in the air. It’s hilarious. What is most surprising of all is that their tiny bodies are rock hard with muscles, thickly coiled and ready to spring. They are powerful animals from the moment they enter the world. It’s difficult to hold them because they thrash about with that miraculous strength, kicking and squealing and ramming with their heads like lilliputian gods of snouts and thunder. Snouts. Let me tell you about their snouts. Perfect, smooth, pink snouts. If there’s anything I would want to freeze in time it’s the snout of a piglet. I wish those snouts would never grow up, but they must because there is much rooting around to do. Sneezes. Let me tell you about their sneezes. They squeeze out by surprise like squeaky exclamations and I can’t help but laugh aloud each time I hear one of these cuties sneeze. They have some teeth. They nap in a pile. They are fearless. They enjoy sparring with one another and wrestling. They approach the chickens and the adult male pigs without hesitation, with great curiosity. They know they are the sons and daughters of Pumpernickle who is truly the Queen of our farmyard. Part of me wishes they were more sleepy and snuggly like puppies and kittens but it’s also a relief to be finished with mothering things for the season. I’ll keep documenting these porkers for you over the weeks to come. I can’t believe how quickly they are growing, they have almost doubled in size in the span of a week. Four piglets is a really nice number for our place — two boys and two girls. I am thoroughly enjoying their company. Pumpernickle is a wonderful mum. She is protective but comfortable with us handling her babies. She is always extremely careful when she lays down to nurse so she doesn’t squash any piglets. She is sensitive, attentive, and always keeps a watchful eye. She’s such a great pig. We’re grateful to have her and her kiddos are a joy to behold.

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Comments

  1. Nathalie says
    July 1, 2020 at 12:42 am

    ADORABLE!!!!

  2. Maisie says
    July 1, 2020 at 8:29 am

    Oh my heart! Thank you for sharing these precious beings ✨

  3. Katy says
    July 1, 2020 at 10:52 am

    OMG I want one now, they’re adorable is right! And your new kitty is too – most of my feral cats are now so friendly that as soon as I come out back they are flopping over like that for belly rubs and getting jealous when I pet one and not the other, so I end up doing a lot of petting before I can get to my gardening. Your place looks like something out of a magazine, what hard workers you guys are, I have to wonder if you’ve ever read “How green was my valley” or it’s sequel – which I finally had to put down because I was just exhausted reading about all the work they did every single day – just like you! Take care and happy summer! And stay safe Robbie! 🙂

    • The Noisy Plume says
      July 2, 2020 at 5:12 pm

      We just hosted a family reunion here and our little niece and nephew really tortured this kitten with love aggression, HA HA HA!!! She’s very tolerant. The best way to make a great cat is to let toddlers play with it as a kitten.

      Our place is lovely but it needs so much work still. When we bought it, it was a bit of a wreck. I have garden goals and dreams I seem to never get to. I’m so busy maintaining here in the summer months that I never really get to develop things the way I dream I can. But in the meanwhile, we’re feeding ourselves and what we do have growing is tremendous.

      Thanks for mentioning this book! I’ll try to procure a copy!

      XX

  4. samantha says
    July 1, 2020 at 11:22 am

    what an ode to JOY! needed this. thank you for sharing them with us.

  5. Beth C says
    July 1, 2020 at 12:07 pm

    I squeaked in joy myself after looking through these photos and reading all about piglets. They sound hilarious. How fun it is to watch things grow and change over time. Thanks for sharing this joy.

  6. theonlyhurricanegirl says
    July 1, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Little Dalmatian Piggies!!! Cutest Ever!!

  7. Karen Tadd-Rodriguez says
    July 1, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    Just when I think you have outdone yourself with animal cuteness, these littles come along!!
    I want a farm, I want littles around me 24/7. Someday, maybe…..

    • The Noisy Plume says
      July 2, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      Well, I will say that once you wind up with a farm there are pretty much ALWAYS baby critters around. It’s a lot of work but it’s joyful work.

  8. Carla says
    July 1, 2020 at 9:12 pm

    These babies are absolutely adorable!! I love the similarities and differences in their coat patterns. 🙂 Thank you for these pictures! <3

  9. Catherine Chandler says
    July 2, 2020 at 7:05 pm

    Ode to Joy indeed! Those little oinkers are the CUTEST! I love the way you capture them, both in photos and in words. Thank you <3

  10. Monique says
    July 2, 2020 at 11:13 pm

    Oh my goodness. These lil piggies seem loaded with personality. What absolute fun. As adorable as they are, I’d probably try to steal your new kitten though. 😉 Your posts are a wonderful sanctuary from the madness in the world. Thank you for being you.